Renewable Energy and Resources

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy can be defined as the energy that comes from the sources which are abundant and can be renewable as long as the sources are available. It can come from various sources such as solar, wave, wind, river (hydro power), geothermal and also the biomass sources. The main purpose for this renewable energy is to generate electricity, since most of our electricity sources come from fossil based such as petroleum and liquid natural gas (LNG). By depending on these two sources, it is seen as not sustainable way as these sources are not renewable and are expected to be exhausted by the next few decades.

Oil and Gas are the main energy sources in the world

Many countries have come with different ways in order to counter the limitation caused by the fossil based resources. Apart from being too expensive, the petroleum also for example is the main reason for the air pollution, caused by the car and other vehicles that use petrol and diesel as their power sources. Since the introduction of cars back in the late 19^th century, this manmade machine has now conquered roads all over the world. The car is no longer seen as the luxury item yet it is a must for a person nowadays.

Because of these, many develop countries such as United States, Japan and France have found another ways of generating electricity. One of the popular yet too expensive ways is by using the nuclear power plant to produce electricity. However, many environment activist opposed this method as it is very risky due to the radiation from the power plant. Still remember what had happen to the Fukushima Daichii Power Plant back in 2011? =)

In Malaysia Context

In the context of Malaysia, majority of the electricity is generated from the hydropower where there are a lot of hydro dam allocated across the country such as Kenyir Dam, Temenggor Dam and the biggest in the region – the Bakun Dam which has recently put some aborigines live in deep Sarawak jungle in damnation (sorry). Because of the location of our country in the Equatorial zone, we have received a lot of rains each year which ultimately a very important sources for generating the hydro dam.The usage of the hydro electric have keep the electrics tariff in Malaysia is generally cheap since the last 20 years. Until recently, the Government has decided to increase the tariff by a little margin to cover the increase of the global oil and gas however.

Bakun Dam, Sarawak

When we discussed about the Malaysia context, the usage of the hydroelectric dam even though it is cheap and are the main renewable sources of the country, it still have a bad implication to the environment. The dam, for example cannot be existed naturally. We must clean the forest; create such a large buffer zone to ‘hold’ the river water so that the electric can be produced. This has created such a massive lost of forest area as most of them are being sunk with the manmade lake. For example the Banding Lake in northern Perak once has some villages, mainly the aborigine’s people. Once the Temenggor Dam is completed, all of the villages has gone and sunk in a deep Banding Lake. That is just one example of the impact form the construction of hydroelectric dam.

Energy is harvested from the wind

One must know how to revolutionize the current method of electricity generating so that it can become more sustainable to environment and also beneficial the people fairly. For example, we can turn into another renewable source that is abundant in Malaysia: the biomass. In my opinion the biomass can be the ‘next generation’ of electricity generation sources as it is easily available in the country. The biomass is the process of producing the electricity from the leftover such as food and agricultural product that are ‘fermented’ in a certain period of time. When the leftover is fermented, the chemical reaction released certain gasses that collectively can be used as the electricity sources (think about the LNG method).

The sources are taken from the pulp of the oil palm which has been process and can be found in a very large quantity in Malaysia. Since the oil palm industries has become a major agriculture industry in the nation, so one might wonder what had happen to the leftover. A part from seen as the next sustainable element in the Malaysian industry, it can also produce the electricity form something that we thought as the rubbish before. For me, that is how we can sustain in the future in the case of the shortage of oil and gas to produce the electricity. Yes, it might not be comparable to those two in term of the quantity BUT at least it is another aspect that we had exploited for ourselves into the better future. (OK la daripada takde apa) =)

Oil palm pulp as the biomass sources in Malaysia?

Sustainable Public Transport

Nowadays public transport has become another important part in people live. Public transport, particularly in Malaysia comprises the bus, taxi, train and its big families, aeroplane and also ships. It has become an alternative for people to travel from one place to another. It is also seen as the sustainable ways of travelling as it can accommodate a large number of people at a generally low cost and less carbon footprint compare to the private vehicle.

Public Transport in Kuala Lumpur

Seeing the importance of the public transport to increase the socioeconomic of the urban dwellers, the Government have initiates a key strategy under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) in 2010 to provide a better public transport facilities not only for the urban but also for the sub-urban people. These are the main community that used the public transport for different used; work, study, play or shopping and all of the people is expecting the Government to improve the public transport service across the country

Public Transport in Seri Iskandar

Seri Iskandar is a newly emerged town in Perak. It is located around 10 kilometres from Bota Kanan, my hometown. The increasing population due to the rapid development has made this town as the town with huge potential to be developed in the future. With the current population of 16,000 plus with the huge numbers of student from the UiTM Seri Iskandar and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), there is an urge for the better public transport, but the current situation? Worst.

Welcome to Seri Iskandar

The current public transport services is provided by the bus and taxi. The public bus however are operated indepently by 3 major provider; the General Omnibus, Perak Transit and MaraLiner. Only Maraliner serve across the district of Perak Tengah, which mean it travel form one point to another point within the district. Meanwhile, the other two only serve Seri Iskandar as their ‘stop by’ point on their way from Ipoh to Lumut and vice versa. The taxi service however very poor as you hardly can find any taxi on the streets, and the fares are very high even for just a few kilometres.

Perak Transit that serve the Seri Iskandar residents

Then there is become a problem. With such a massive development currently being construct, plus with the huge population (16,000 + 15,000 IPT student) one would expect the public transportation service would never been this worst. Take an example of the public bus service. Even though there are many public bus available from Ipoh to Lumut, but there is no single public bus service that serve the route within the town of Seri Iskandar. The reason from the officials are clear : there is no demand for such thing.

Yes the DEMAND is the main reason for any company to do their service. The same logic happens for the public bus company. Nobody wants to do a loss business. In the capitalism theory, the profit is the main reason for everybody to do business. Now that what I call as the evil in the economic system. You just focused on the good benefits for the economic side only without considering the effect to the people and the environment. How can we call that as the sustainability?

Seri Iskandar in next 20 years? Hopefully!

In order to urge the people to use the public transport, we must create the demand. This can be done by simply make the public bus serve the roads in the suburban or in the housing area continually. At the long time, people will notice that the public bus service is available at their location and there is no reason for them to depend on their car or motorcycles. This is a psychological war, when we create something that people might think it is available. Eventually, the demand is there as more and more people would notice the availability of the public bus service in their area.

Yes, it would not be profitable business in the early stages. But when it comes to provide a better service for the people than noting would stop this. In my opinion, even though this theory seems radical or ‘tidak masuk akal’ but I believe this is the best alternative to make people use the public transport rather than use the conventional ways such as petrol increase, toll payment and parking charged for the private vehicles which might give little impact to them to use the public transport. In the end, this does not apply in the context of Seri Iskandar, but also for the whole Malaysia if not the whole world if we want to make people use the public transport. =)

“by using the public transport, doesn't necessary it indicates you a poor person”

Public Participation in Malaysia

Public participatory is the definition for the community that can join or participating in the planning process. Put it in the simple context: the people have a voice in any planned development. In the western countries such as in United Kingdom, the people awareness about their responsibility and their power is just a big leap comparing to Malaysian. There, they have a vocal whether to agree or to object any development surrounds them. Of course, before doing so, they must have an education or study on the something that they agreed or disagreed with.

In the context of Malaysia, the current public participatory environment is vey “calm” as people are seen not very interested in the process. Well, this is also one of the aspect of democracy: you have right to voice out your opinion, even in the planning process. For example, when the developer planned to built a 100 story of super tall building next to your house, of course you will be objected as the building may cover up your house from the sunlight, wind and the best view that you enjoyed before this. What more important are the side effect of the development that you don’t want: pollution and congestion.

Should people shut their mouth over this kind of situation?

Then, that is the time when the public participatory play a major role in objection the development of such taller building. If the both side agree, the case can be settled in the court where both side must justify why they agree or disagree with the development. This, however doesn’t come easily as the developer will do anything within their power to make the project become reality no matter what. This is because of the name and prestige that they want to keep. They don’t want to be the loser side when the project is ultimately objected and abandoned. It will be hard for them to find another project in the future. The Malay says: susah nak cari makan!

 Then, there is also a interference from the government to protect the development, especially when it comes to the government own project. They will do anything to keep the project run on it scheduled. Many cases had happen before when the Government interfere, then nothing much public can do. There is no need to give an example because it is such sensitive issues. Opps!

Pople's power? =)

Back to our discussion, the public participatory in the country is relatively weak because of all the reasons above. Plus, the people seems don’t care the development around them as long as it doesn’t involving their land. Then this is a serious problem. Too much selfishness in the community may lead to our own disastrous future. Who can assure that the current development may good or bad for us in the future? Nobody can become a fortune teller. That is why the serious public participatory in any planning process is very important. They can give you opinion, feedback and suggestion regarding your proposed development. With this, the developer or government may know what are the flaws in their proposed development and the solve for the problems. Settle!

For the conclusion, a strong yet educated public participatory involving various NGOs in Malaysia is needed if we believe that the future may be bright for us. =)

“What we do today will become history in the future”

Urban Governance and Management

Introduction

In essence, urban governance is the integration of effort between the community, private sector and city-region authorities where the urban authorities perform the coordinating role and determine the quality of the macroeconomic environment and location that is favorable attract investors and people. In most cases, the private sector provides the much needed financial assistance and business expertise to operate independently or in association with the public sector. 

The community provides the individuals who are employees, consumers or are beneficiaries of the governance process. A more integrative approach, one that goes beyond the boundaries of the different departments (inter-departmental cooperation), should replace this political system. Andersen and Van Kempen (2003) distinguish a number of changes that mark the shift from urban government to urban governance:

i. A replacement of universality policies by targeted policies.

ii. A growing use of covenants as policy regulation.

iii. An attempt to integrate policy fields from various departments into a unitary project organization.

iv. A focus on the empowerment of residents and of cities and specific neighborhoods.

In summary, urban governance is strategies are achievable through the process integration all sectors including public, private and other social organisations. To accomplish the desired outcome, this integration results in an effective and efficiently managed city. Thus it contributes to economic development, stabilization and welfare, bringing the transparency of decision-making process, social participation, openness, finance equilibrium and law being obeyed to.

Integrated mechanisms, processes and institutions, through which citizens and social groups might state their preferences, negotiate solutions of their contradictions and make use of their constitutional rights, as well as realize their duties, is also being understood as the urban governance.

Issues of Kuala Lumpur City-Region Development

Rapid rate of urbanization 

Urbanization in Malaysia has developed rapidly especially during the last two decades whereby the rate of urbanization 

has increased from 54.3% to 65.4% between 1991-2000. This is expected to increase to 75% by 2020. The increase in 

population will mostly concentrate in major conurbations such as Kuala Lumpur City Region, Georgetown, Johor Bahru 

and Kuantan. The high rate of population increase requires the development of new areas for housing, social amenities, 

commercial and other urban land uses. The lack of clear urban limits has led to the creation of urban sprawl encroaching 

upon environmentally sensitive areas, major agricultural areas and areas unsuitable for development.

Rapid urbanization may affect the efficiency of urban governance (Mexico City) 

Ineffective urban governance

National Urbanisation Policy of Malaysia proposed with the rapid pace of urbanization by 2020, urban governance is 

faced with various complex challenges a head. These challenges require that the respective parties be more focused in 

undertaking parties be more focused in undertaking each and every responsibility in urban development. However, the 

involvement of multiple agencies and departments in urban management had made it difficult to coordinate many 

actions and in turn affects the effectiveness of those actions. Good urban administration and management also need to 

take into consideration the capability of each local authority as each local authority as each differs in terms of 

manpower, skills and financial capacity to provide good service for its population. There is wide gap between the 

expectation of the community and the ability of the local authority to fulfill those expectations.

Inefficient transportation system

The Road and Transport Department of Malaysia stated that the total number of registered vehicles for Malaysia was 

14.8 million in 2012. Out of this, 47% comprised of motorcycles, 44% were private cars while the remainder were 

commercial and other vehicles. The large number of private vehicle ownership puts pressure on the capacity of the 

existing road network especially for larger conurbations like Kuala Lumpur City Region and Georgetown. Furthermore, 

inefficient public transportation resulted in the tendency for the urban population to opt for private vehicles instead of 

the public transport. 

Inefficient Traffic Management in Beijing, 2010

Declines in quality of living for urban dweller

The decline in quality of living in urban areas is one of the major issues that arise out of poor management of urban development. For a town to be both viable and sustainable it is necessary to provide quality support infrastructure and a high quality of living derived from the provision of adequate housing, education, recreation and health facilities. In respect of the provision of housing, the main issue is the lack of housing for the low income group. Although the supply of housing is generally in excess of actual demand, the supply of housing for the urban poor is still insufficient as the price of these houses is beyond the reach of this group.

What should we do? 

Because of the problems related to the urban governance and management keep increasing over time, it is very crucial for the Malaysia government to tackle these issues as soon as possible. not only it may damage the whole quality of life of the urban dweller but what we are fear is that it might also damaging the socioeconomic of the people in the whole country. Many actions can be taken by the government, especially in the context of Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall should be established to administer urban growth and development a various levels particularly the local authority level. This will ensure that the value of assets, economy, social and the environment will be maintained and value-added towards attaining sustainable urban centers in Malaysia. 

The local authority, as the main agency responsible to urban management, needs to update the administration and management system to optimize its financial revenue including new sources, upgrade its capacity to enable towns to become more competitive and viable, strengthen human resources by employing skilled and experienced staff as well as expand the use of technology. 

Malaysia can learn form Singapore about good urban governance perhaps?

"the good governance may reflect by the success of the nations and perhaps will reflect with the better quality of life of its people"

=)